14 yr RN needs career change suggestions...

20 posts · started Jan 8, 2012

SoldierNurse Jan 8, 2012, 5:47 PM
Healthcare experience; Scrub Tech 1995-1998
RN Experience; Telemetry FLR 1998-2001 / ICU, 10 Bed 2001-2003 / OR RN 2003-2006 & ICU 2006-Present*

I can not use my left arm d/t recurrent rotator cuff tears, which includes three failed surgeries. I have no ROM/strength in left arm (supraspinatous full-thickness tear, infraspinatous partial thickness tear, bicep dislocated, labral tear, osteophytes loose in joint.

I'm leaning towards PACU. However, open to ideas.

*Cannot handle the constant lifting, turning, pulling, etc. that comes with ICU nursing care.
SoldierNurse Jan 16, 2012, 3:26 AM
cougarnurse wrote:Change of pace with Hospice? Just a thought.....
Good thought. Will put in my memory bank. My guess I'll be out of the Army in 6 mos or less. Pray enough disability % for med retirement, rather than med sep = 1 compensation check & nothing more.

Was hoping for more participation :-/ on this thread. This is very serious stuff for me.
cougarnurse Jan 16, 2012, 8:18 PM
I can understand this is a major change in things for you.

Hopefully, others are scratching their heads about the change in jobs bit. i am sure there are jobs out there, but where????

What about the housing bit? Aren't you in Govt./Military housing right now? Is moving an option? I know you are a native Texan, yet were in WA state at one time.
Ricu Jan 17, 2012, 2:29 PM
Cary,

How about RN First Assistant? You would be great there with your scrub tech and OR background. Would the Army pick up the tab for any certification requirement? Other ideas-teaching, Public health, School or industrial nursing, Ambulatory surgery. I was thinking about PACU and wonder if there might still be too much transferring and those patients are dead weight, too Hospice is a good idea, Cougar.

I'll keep thinking.

R
cougarnurse Jan 17, 2012, 4:02 PM
I'd thought Hospice in that there may or may not be too much lifting/moving involved, depending on the case. A supervisory position in said section would be another idea.
SoldierNurse Jan 17, 2012, 7:21 PM

All suggestions welcomed

cougarnurse wrote:I can understand this is a major change in things for you.

Hopefully, others are scratching their heads about the change in jobs bit. i am sure there are jobs out there, but where????

What about the housing bit? Aren't you in Govt./Military housing right now? Is moving an option? I know you are a native Texan, yet were in WA state at one time.
Sorry, let me catch you up ... I lived in base housing at FT Lewis, WA from 2007-2008. LOL, I should say my wife lived in base housing... while I lived @ Camp Bucca, Iraq. After 15 month deployment ended I returned to FT Lewis - had 1st L RTC repair - then (upon my request sort of... long story) PCS'd to FT Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. We lived in an apartment about 6 months, then bought a house in Cibolo/Schertz, which is about 5 miles south of New Braunfels & about a 60 minute drive to Austin. Wife, also an RN, works at a hospital close to where we live. However, w/o going into details, she would leave the place in a moment's notice. We are not fond of the SA area, and plan to move back to the Austin area.

About 8 months after my THIRD L RTC shoulder surgery went thru MedEvalBrd/PhysicalEvalBrd/PDA process & was found fit for duty (STICU RN @ BAMC... now SAMMC) within limitations of my physical profile (non-deployable). So, whenever I needed to lift, turn, move, etc. my patient I'd grip with left hand but use my right arm to lift while another RN would lift on the opposite side. LOL, due to over compensating for my left shoulder I developed right elbow problems. Then, as time went on subconsciously started using my left arm... which made my left shoulder worse; confirmed by MRI taken last month.

So, I was referred to my second MEB. BTW, using my chain-of-command, I requested a different patient care dept that would involve little to no lifting. The Chief, of Nursing Services not only denied my request she chastised me, said I was unfit to be a Soldier, and should not have been allowed to stay in via my first MEB... Later, I learn the Army will be down-sizing (49,000 out of the Army by/starting[?] April).

Hope that was not TMI? My healthcare exp; CST,Telemetry FLR RN, ICU RN, OR RN, and most recently Surgical/Trauma ICU @ SAMMC (aka BAMC). I need suggestions on civilian patient care settings that involve little to NO lifting

So far on my "maybe" list of ideas is Hospice, Industrial Nursing, PACU*#1 preference*.
SoldierNurse Jan 17, 2012, 7:36 PM
Ricu wrote:Cary,

How about RN First Assistant? You would be great there with your scrub tech and OR background. Would the Army pick up the tab for any certification requirement? Other ideas-teaching, Public health, School or industrial nursing, Ambulatory surgery. I was thinking about PACU and wonder if there might still be too much transferring and those patients are dead weight, too Hospice is a good idea, Cougar.

I'll keep thinking.

R
I've done PACU nursing and has been my experience very little lifting is involved. Nonetheless, you are correct, lifting is always a possibility in PACU. In a perfect world, or at least in Texas, LOL, I'd love to be an RNFA. Last worked in the OR back March 2006. The hospitals around here don't have RNFA positions as staff nurses. You have to market yourself, get paid via MD or patient's insurance, etc. I prefer a steady paycheck ;) I don't think the Army Medical Dept uses RNFA's, besides my Army career will be no more in the near future. :(

Maybe Public Health, School Nurse as a VERY last resort, Industrial Nursing possibly. I do appreciate the suggestions. :)
SoldierNurse Jan 17, 2012, 7:39 PM
cougarnurse wrote:I'd thought Hospice in that there may or may not be too much lifting/moving involved, depending on the case. A supervisory position in said section would be another idea.
Good idea, thx
cali510 Jan 21, 2012, 3:15 AM
Clinical nurse supervisor for a home health agency. Do supervisory visits, small amount of involvement with supervising LPNs, CNAs/HHAs, mostly paperwork, which could be impacted by use of PDA or computer. Your biggest physical requirement would be driving from home to home to do the visits, and whatever patient contact required to do the physical assessment. You could ask a family member or LPN/HHA to reposition the patient so you could listen to lungs from posterior. You could also do quality assurance or other admin duties in the office, perhaps work as the assistant director of clinical services. Just a thought.
SoldierNurse Jan 21, 2012, 11:38 AM
cali510 wrote:Clinical nurse supervisor for a home health agency. Do supervisory visits, small amount of involvement with supervising LPNs, CNAs/HHAs, mostly paperwork, which could be impacted by use of PDA or computer. Your biggest physical requirement would be driving from home to home to do the visits, and whatever patient contact required to do the physical assessment. You could ask a family member or LPN/HHA to reposition the patient so you could listen to lungs from posterior. You could also do quality assurance or other admin duties in the office, perhaps work as the assistant director of clinical services. Just a thought.
Good ideas, thx!
cali510 Jan 22, 2012, 3:52 AM
Cary, I have seen new RN grads (from ADN programs) doing the supervisory position in hh agencies, so I know that you would have no problems with your background. It is a job and it is in nursing. Just an example of one of those "other" nursing opps out there that we don't think about so quickly until the need arises. Good luck.
hawknurse Jan 23, 2012, 11:46 PM

other jobs for soldier nurse

Have you thought about utilization review nursing or disease mgmt/case management nursing? Often these jobs can be done from home which would not require any lifting. Also advice line nurse would be great with your experience. I have seen many postings for the state of Texas so, it might be a great alternative for you. I would also like to thank you for serving our country. My daughter is stationed at Ft. Lewis right now & has been in for a year & loves it. Sorry to hear about your shoulder. You might also consider using google to find nurse consultant or health coach jobs. With your wide range of acute hospital experience, you might also consider legal nurse consulting. Law offices are always looking for experienced nurses knowledgeable in appropriate hospital practices & treatment. Hope this helps & good luck!
ZoMsTrav Jan 24, 2012, 8:53 AM
Hello,
How about research nursing? there may be a lab draw involved, you can do it one handed if with practice with a butterfly, it stays in place with w a piece of tape on a good one, then you can finish off with the good hand. It involves a lot of data, and computer work.
Ricu Jan 24, 2012, 12:49 PM
SoldierNurse wrote:I've done PACU nursing and has been my experience very little lifting is involved. Nonetheless, you are correct, lifting is always a possibility in PACU. In a perfect world, or at least in Texas, LOL, I'd love to be an RNFA. Last worked in the OR back March 2006. The hospitals around here don't have RNFA positions as staff nurses. You have to market yourself, get paid via MD or patient's insurance, etc. I prefer a steady paycheck ;) I don't think the Army Medical Dept uses RNFA's, besides my Army career will be no more in the near future. :(

Maybe Public Health, School Nurse as a VERY last resort, Industrial Nursing possibly. I do appreciate the suggestions. :)

Any interest in Special Procedures, Angiography, Cath. lab, Infection Control, Employee health? What is out there in the way of walk-in urgent care centers? I suppose you have little time to explore the private sector and establish relationships right now but I'm certain that a busy surgical practice would take you on in a heartbeat as an RNFA. I hope something comes tot he surface for you soon.

R
SoldierNurse Jan 24, 2012, 5:46 PM
Rich, I'm in a holding pattern right now. Still in the MEB process, next PEB, last will be PDA (the final decision). Once I know of a narrower timeline I'll look into my RN possibilities in the Austin area. I do appreciate everyone's input.

I'll keep y'all posted.
hawknurse Jan 26, 2012, 3:25 PM
Thank you soldiernurse. My daughter will be home on leave in March..can't wait!! I do agree with others that there are a wide variety of avenues for nurses.. not just your typical bedside nursing. With your acute care knowledge & experience your opportunities are endless. You might also consider being a nursepreneur..we develop many skills over the years that prove vital to many businesses & your army skills are definitely a plus. Remember to "Think outside the box"! Good luck with your future endeavors!